From 2010 to 2014, I had the honour of being a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

It’s a memory I recall fondly.

The topics we discussed – from women’s rights to media freedom and the conduct of free and fair elections.

And the lessons I learned from taking a step back, from seeing things from another angle.

All of that influenced the way I approach politics.

Therefore, it’s my great pleasure to welcome all of you here in the Federal Foreign Office to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Germany’s accession to the Council of Europe.

This is a special day for us.

Because the histories of Germany and the Council of Europe are inextricably linked.

The Council of Europe was the first – that was mentioned by Konrad Adenauer [in the film] just some minutes ago – multilateral institution the Federal Republic of Germany joined.

A German delegation was already present when the establishment of this institution was discussed in 1948 – even before a German state was re-established after World War II.

I know the role Germany was able to play then and I still feel it. Because our German delegation is still hosted by the same hotel which was the only one in 1952 who accepted Germany. And we are still there. So, the history is still with us and our delegation, ladies and gentlemen.

The Council of Europe played a decisive role in restoring freedom and democracy in Germany after the unspeakable atrocities of the Nazi regime.

The European Convention on Human Rights complemented on an international level the human and civil rights enshrined in our own constitution, the Grundgesetz.

This Convention gave our citizens – for the first time in our history – the opportunity to appeal directly to an international body, the European Court of Human Rights, for the protection of their individual rights.

A major step for us – it fortified the rule of law in our country and created trust in democratic institutions.

When the founding fathers of the Council of Europe came together in 1948, they had just lived through the worst attack on peace and human dignity Europe had ever witnessed.

They had seen democracy vanish in many European countries, civil rights abolished, Germany plunge the European continent into a brutal war of extermination, six million European Jews and millions of other groups and peoples murdered.

And they decided that the best protection against this nightmare ever happening again was to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law – in Europe and beyond.

This initial impulse of the founding fathers of the Council of Europe is more timely today than ever:

For three years now – Madame President mentioned it already – we have been facing another brutal attack on peace and security in Europe.

Russia is openly waging a war of aggression against Ukraine.

Under Putin’s leadership, Russia seeks to exploit the weaknesses of our democracies and the vulnerabilities of our societies.

By promoting conspiracy theories, by sowing doubt in our democratic systems, by deepening divisions within our populations.

Putin is denying his own citizens the basic democratic rights and protections codified in the European Convention on Human Rights.

It was only consequential that the member states of the Council of Europe decided to exclude Russia, given its grave violation of the Council’s core principles.

Our democratic freedoms are our strength.

This is why they are under attack right now as never before.

This is why we have to defend them.

I’m particularly grateful to you, Secretary-General Berset, for your initiative for a “New Pact for Democracy” within the Council of Europe.

We support your efforts to strengthen cooperation between those who want to see freedom, democracy and accountability in Europe expanded and fortified.

We share your assessment of the key pillars for democracy that need to be deeply embedded: education, trust in institutions, rule of law, opportunities for participation.

Today, the challenges for our democracies have shifted.

Technological change is creating new opportunities, but also new dangers for our freedom, our security, our prosperity.

And the Council of Europe has adapted to these challenges.

The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence is the first internationally legally binding treaty to contain a commitment by the signatories to review their AI legislation for threats and challenges to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Via the European Union, all EU members are already signatories of the Framework Convention. For the non-EU members of the Council of Europe, it would certainly send a strong signal about respect for human rights if they were to become signatories of the Convention.

But the discussions go on, as other new technical advances are just around the corner. The fundamental questions remain:

How can we make technological innovations in artificial intelligence compatible with human rights?

How can we prevent AI’s potential from being used for disinformation and propaganda purposes?

How can we ensure democratic participation in deciding how these technological opportunities are used for the benefit of our societies as a whole?

And this is just one of the new and emerging fields the Council of Europe is active in.

We are also seeking new ways to strengthen democracy and the rule of law where a return to peace and civility will require a great effort.

This is why the Council of Europe, the European Commission, Ukraine, and 37 other states have laid the legal foundations for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Just two weeks ago, the Council of Europe and Ukraine signed a bilateral agreement that will advance the establishment of this Special Tribunal significantly.

We will make sure that those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine are held accountable.

In international relations, one cornerstone of the rule of law is that grave violations of accepted norms cannot remain without consequences.

It must be made clear to the aggressors:

You will have to compensate for the damage inflicted by your unlawful actions.

The Council of Europe works for justice.

As German Foreign Minister, I can say:

we are proud and grateful to have belonged to this organisation for the past 75 years.

We are grateful for the trust and the foresight of our neighbours, who invited us to join this unique institution.

The same neighbours that had suffered unimaginably during the war and occupation Germany had brought over Europe.

This is where our deep appreciation for the Council of Europe has its roots.

This is why we will continue to support all efforts to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law – in Europe and beyond.